RECENT UPDATES
KARBON HOMES - DROP IN SESSION
June 2024
Hello I am the Housing Officer at Karbon Homes for Widdrington Station and I am holding quarterly drop-in sessions at the Community Center where residents can pop in to discuss any issues or concerns they may have.
The first scheduled drop in session is the 10th June between 10:00am - 12:00pm
There will be two further dates available in September and December to be
Confirmed at a later date
Thanks,
Natalie
PARISH COUNCIL - BUDGET VS ACTUAL 2022/2023
April 2024
Budget vs Actual for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 will be available for viewing on the website in due course.
Thank you for your patience and ongoing support.
STOBSWOOD WELFARE MUSIC EVENT
May 2024
Live Music from a local band "Last Orders"
Location: Stobswood Welfare
Sunday 5th May
Free entry
PARISH COUNCIL - FINANCE MEETING
April 2024
The Parish Council will hold their finance meeting on Wednesday 17th April to discuss budget vs spend and 2024-2025 spending.
This meeting is to be hosted for councilors only and no public attendance is permitted.
Additional updates to follow the meeting.
COMMUNITY CENTRE - REFURBISHMENT
April 2024
We are pleased to announce that after going through a tender process we have now voted to use Morpeth Bathrooms for our upcoming refurbishment of the toilets at the community centre.
The work will start on the 22nd April and with the disabled toilets being the first area of work followed by the gents and then ladies toilets.
During this time the community centre will still be open and accessible and we would like to thank you in advance for your patience during the refurbishment
works and apologise for any disruption to our service users and public.
INTRODUCTION FROM JOHN SHEPHERD
April 2024
Good morning all,
I thought I would introduce myself, my name is John Shepherd and currently a Labour Parish Councillor for East Chevington Parish Council. I have worked at Hadston House for 6 years, starting as a cleaner and making my way up to Managing Assistant and Finance Officer. I have been the manager of communications for the Labour Party in Northumberland for the last 3 years.
I have worked closely with officers throughout Northumberland County Council as well as working alongside the current Northumberland Labour Leader Scott Dickinson. I am a 24-year-old father of 2 with a wonderful fiancee
I will strive to make our local areas enjoyable to live in. As the vice chair of the parish council, I have managed to work hard and work with my colleagues to install a new 3G football pitch at Red Row as well as successfully holding a firework display for the local village for 3 consecutive years. I have managed to upgrade the children's play park in Hadston and am currently working towards getting the park in Broomhill upgraded.
If you would like to raise any issues I would be glad to help and see if I can get some answers from NCC I have already reported issues on FixMyStreet while driving through the villages as I have been delivering meals on wheels to Widdrington and Ulgham for the last 5 years and have a close relationship with a range of elderly people in the area. I am hoping to be selected to stand to be your next County Councillor which is a new ward for Northumberland, I have worked hard over the last 5 years following the Leader of the Labour party to see what it takes to become a good county councillor. Longhirst will have its first ward Councillor in May next year and I am hoping I am fortunate enough to be the one selected to stand for the Labour Party.
The whole of the United Kingdom needs a change for a brighter future and I have been working on the Labour Manifesto with the Leader and County Councillors which will help bring change to Northumberland.
If you would like to contact me you can do via this email address or nlandlabour@_gmail.com alternatively you can contact me on my direct line 07593234533
I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes
John
CUPPA WITH A COPPER (PC SUTCLIFFE)
April 2024
Cuppa with a Copper (PC Sutcliffe) all welcome on 26/4/24 - 3pm -5pm at the Community Centre for all residents to attend and discuss concerns
NORTHUMBRIA CONNECT
March 2024
Northumbria Connect - https://www.northumbria.police.uk/
Northumbria Connected is our new tool to ensure that we are delivering on the issues that affect all our communities across the North East.
We want to understand the issues that most impact you so that we can shape our Neighbourhood Policing to tackle them where you live.
We want to tell you about the issues that you want to hear about and in a way that you choose. On sign up you can decide on the updates you will receive in either text or email.
We can then send you a short survey to better understand what is impacting you and your community.
After all no one will know better what is happening in your community than you!
WIDDRINGTON STATION AND STOBSWOOD PARISH COUNCIL PRECEPT
March 2024
The Widdrington Station and Stobswood Parish Council Precept for 2024-2025 will be £75,556.00
Additional information can be found here:
STOBSWOOD PLAY PARK
March 2024
Since the recent sale of the Woodland at Stobswood the new owners have kindly gifted the Stobswood Play Park to the Parish Council.
The play park due to several years of neglect by its previous owners is in need of repair and refurbishment. We are in the process of reviewing what is required to repair the play park and whether any equipment will need replacing. We are also looking at what external grants and funding might be available to cover some if not all of the cost.
COMMUNITY CENTRE - WI-FI
February 2024
The Parish Council have recently installed internet connectivity into the Community Centre and are pleased to offer free Wi-Fi to all our users.
Please see notice boards for connectivity information.
ADDITIONAL BUS SHELTERS
October 2021
After 2020's success of replacing two of our bus shelters, we voted to replace another two shelters that had been deteriorating in condition for some time. New bus shelters have been installed on the Mile road and Grange road
THE FAIR VISITS WIDDRINGTON STATION
September, 2021
The annual visit of Slaters fun fair arrives in Widdrington Station after missing 2020 due to Covid restrictions. Kids and adults of all ages thoroughly enjoyed the rides and stalls
PARTY IN THE PARK/ARMED FORCES DAY CELEBRATION
April 2021
Armed Forces Day Celebration – Saturday 24th July 2021 between 12pm-9.30pm.
**Live music, onsite catering and bar**
This event we had to cancel due to Covid restrictions last year and delay it again in June 2021. It will be held in our community park and will not only be a celebration of our Armed Forces, past and present but also our first event that will enable our community to come together once again after what can only be described as an extremely trying past 12 months.
A marquee will be erected followed by the stage and lighting and this will be managed by a 3rd party events company. We anticipate that they will start to erect this on Saturday morning.
The event will run from approximately 12pm till 9.30pm and to minimise any noise after 9.30pm we will leave the marquee in situ and there will be a Security Company based in the park throughout the night. On Sunday morning the events company will return to pack up their marque and equipment.
There will be catering onsite throughout the event serving a varied menu as well as a bar serving beer, wine and soft drinks (No spirits will be available) First Aid cover will be present throughout the event as will portable toilets. More details will be provided at a later date.
This is a FREE event for our community (Provided by the Widdrington Station and Stobswood Parish Council) and covers all age groups, hopefully everyone can come along and enjoy being part of a community event once again.
If there are any stall holders wishing to take part, you are more than welcome. All we ask is that you provide your table and possibly a gazebo, the areas will be marked out for your stands prior to arrival. If you need to borrow a table from the community centre please ensure you make this request directly to us, as we only have a limited supply. We ask that any stall holder make a contribution of £5 which will be going towards our Food Bank services.
This this event like many others nationwide, depends on restrictions not being imposed again, hopefully by this date we are fast approaching a total lift of any restrictions.
During the event there will be the need for generators and there will be noise from the live music and those attending during 12pm and 9.30pm and we apologise in advance if this causes any upset on the day, but this is a fantastic event for all ages to come together as a community again after the latest lockdowns that we have all endured.
Please get in touch if you require any further details, a more detailed itinerary will be made available soon. Looking forward to seeing you all on the day.
If driving to the event then please park your cars in the car park behind the Co-Op and overflow car park near the bottle bank. Please do not block residents driveways.
Many Thanks
Shelly Willoughby
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS
March 2021
The Cabinet Office has said that the elections for all Northumberland's local [parish] councils will take place on Thursday 6th May 2021, together with those for Northumberland County Council and the Police & Crime Commissioner, using similar arrangements as in previous elections, i.e. there will be polling stations as well as postal votes. The term of office for all existing parish councillors ceases in May 2021. This means that councillors who wish to stand again will have to submit their nomination forms and register of interests forms. The timetable is subject to potential change in the current national situation. We anticipate further information will be provided as the election approaches:
Publication of Notice of Election - Monday 29th March
Delivery of Nomination Papers - Monday 29th March to Thursday 8th April
Withdrawal of Nomination - Thursday 8th April
Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated - Friday 9th April (4:00 p.m.)
Publication of Notice of Poll and Polling Stations - Tuesday 27th April
Return of Election Expenses - Thursday 3rd June.
This means that the identities of councillors in uncontested seats will be available on the County Council's website after 4:00 p.m. on Friday 9th April 2021.
The count for contested seats is likely to be on Saturday 8th May 2021.
GARDEN SOS
February 2021
The Parish were recently contacted by Flying Saucer TV regarding an upcoming Garden SOS TV show.
They are looking for people who are struggling to keep on top of their garden and have let it become overgrown and a bit of a junkyard, for a brand new TV show ‘Filthy Garden SOS’. They are filming March 2021 and have a team of experts ready to tackle unloved gardens that need our help.
FUNDING FOR DISABLED PLAY EQUIPMENT
January 2021
Widdrington Station & Stobswood Parish Council receive funding of £6000 from Druridge Bay ward councillor Scott Dickinson and partnership. This funding will assist the Parish Council with installing disabled access play equipment in our park.
Cllr Michelle Willougby, of Widdrington Station Parish Council, said: “2020 has been a challenging time for everyone – the need for support between our parishes has never been so important.
“We all, as parish councils, had planned events for the year, which sadly had to be cancelled. The Covid crisis called for us all to look long and hard at how best we could create a safe and supportive net around our residents, especially the elderly and vulnerable.
“One of our planned projects was the installation of some specialist equipment in our beautiful park.
Scott Dickinson said: “As soon as I heard about the Widdrington Station Parish Council's plans to install disabled access play equipment in their park, I was keen to offer some help.
“Play is vital for all children and should be accessible for every young person, and I very much value the relationship I have with the parish council. “We work together to benefit local people and make sure they are safe and well looked after.”
More information available here: https://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/people/play-equipment-all-children-3106489
WIDDRINGTON STATION & STOBSWOOD GET XMAS READY!
December, 2020
Widdrington Station & Stobswood are in the Christmas spirit, the village is looking lovely with its Christmas tree and decorated houses. Just a shame we could not all get together for carol singing this year due to Covid-19
NEW BUS SHELTERS
November 2020
The bus shelters in and around Widdrington Station were starting to show their age and the foundations were starting to give way leaving them unsafe.
The Parish voted to have the bus shelters removed and replaced with new top of the range bus shelters that are also vandal proof.
WIDDRINGTON STATION & STOBSWOOD FOOD BANK
May 2020
The Widdrington Station & Stobswood food bank was initially created during the first Covid-19 lockdown as part of the Parish Councils response to the crisis and to support those isolating or vulnerable.
It has now become its own vital part of the community with support from dedicated volunteers and the wider community.
The food bank has been setup to support all ages in need, whether this is during Covid-19 isolation, school holidays to ensure children have the food they need or whether its a longer term solution to support you/your family during a period of hard times.
We average 25 food parcels a week and are now looking at how we can sustain this venture next year.
We have formed a committee and a constitution will be drawn up going forward along with close working with other food banks in the area.
Gareth is supported by the Parish Council, his Wife and team of fantastic volunteers whilst also having various businesses across the area donating items.
THE VILLAGE SCARECROWS
April 2020
During the Covid-19 lockdown one of our fantastic residents decided to make their own scarecrow to recongnise the hard work that all of our key workers were doing.
This soon became a big hit in the village with 100s of scarecrows starting to pop up and eventually it was on national news and several other villages/towns across the UK followed suit.
Delivery drivers loved driving through the village seeing the creations and often stopped to take pictures - this certainly brighted us all up.
Big well done to our residents during such a difficult time!
WIDDRINGTON STATION & STOBSWOOD SELF ISOLATION SUPPORT
March 2020
During the Covid-19 lock down the Parish Council formed a small support team made up of volunteers from the village.
The team assisted anyone who was self isolating due to having tested positive for Covid-19 or because they have underlying health conditions.
The team assisted with shopping, getting doctors perscriptons and by being their for residents to talk to during the long lock down.
The group is very much still active and has assisted residents after the 1st lock down and into the 2nd lock down.
COVID-19 UPDATE
March 2020
TO ADHERE TO THE GOVERNMENT'S CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 PANDEMIC INSTUCTIONS, THERE WILL BE NO MEETINGS HELD BY THE PARISH COUNCIL FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE UNTIL THE RESTRICTIONS ARE WITHDRAWN.
MANY COUNCIL'S ARE INFORMALY CONDUCTING THEIR BUSINESS USING A VARIETY OF MEANS IN THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE PARISH COUNCIL ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGING IN THE USE OF EMAILS AND MICROSOFT TEAM TO HOST PARISH MEETINGS AND TO REVIEW ITEMS REQUIRING THE COUNCIL'S APPROVAL.
THE PARISH COUNCIL ARE GRATEFUL FOR THOSE VOLUNTEERS IN THE PARISH WHO ARE HELPFULLY ENSUREING THAT ASSISTANCE IS GIVEN TO RESIDENTS THAT REQUIRE HELP.
RICHARD A SMITH - PARISH COUNCIL CLERK.
MEMORIAL GARDEN
October 2018
A commemorative stone was unveiled at a ceremony in Widdrington Station to mark the 100th Anniversary of the awarding of the Victoria Cross to James Bulmer Johnson.
The ceremony was organised by Widdrington Station and Stobswood Parish Council and Northumberland County Council, marking the unveiling of the commemorative stone in recognition of the World War 1 Second Lieutenant.